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Acquisition

Transcript

Length: 2:36

Library and Archives Canada Acquisition title screen

On-camera starts at 0:08

Narrator: Our ongoing video series will now explore what it means to acquire Canada’s documentary heritage. In fact it is the cornerstone of everything Library and Archives Canada has done over the past 140 years.

Narrator: This priority is clearly set out in our mandate.

Narrator: Today, more than ever, we are rigorously seeking items to add to our rich collection – a treasure-trove that has taken us more than a century to build, and one that continues to grow as we speak.

(Commentator is standing in the Preservation Centre Hallway)

Narrator: Case in point, every year, we acquire thousands of items from government and private fond and an average of 100-thousand publications.

Narrator: And, more recently, an average of 60-thousand digital publications.

(Women handling and sorting through various types of ancient materials and publications)

Narrator: Since 2008, we have also spent tens of thousands of dollars annually, and issued on average close to 4 million dollars per year in tax receipts, for the acquisition of private collections.

(Commentator is standing in the Preservation Centre Hallway)

Narrator: Just recently, we acquired treasures from the Sherbrooke Collection, the largest and most complete compilation of War of 1812 documentation ever, which had been in the Sherbrooke family exclusively for the last 200 years

(Artifacts and maps from the Sherbrooke collection shown)

Narrator: Also, an amazing map of the Americas by Paolo Forlani, dating back to the year 1566.

(Original map of the Americas shown)

Narrator: We all agree there is a lot to be acquired on the open market, but for us it is all about making the right choices for Canadians, astute choices.

(Woman looking through a microscope. A display of framed miniatures shown)

Narrator: Of considerable importance is what to acquire and preserve in the digital universe.

(Commentator is standing in the Preservation Centre Hallway)

Narrator: Canadians, just like the rest of the world, are producing more and more content digitally.

(Over-the-shoulder view of man sitting at a desk, working on a digital production)

Narrator: This has created a unique challenge for organizations like ours.

(Monitors showing digital information)

Narrator: Not only do we need to acquire this record, but we need to make it accessible.